I can still recall when Nissan introduced the Altima back in 1992. I was 12 and thought it was such a futuristic looking sedan compared to prior Nissans. It proved to be successful as the Altima carries on six generations later and is going strong in a time when sedans have been heading off to the sunset. For 2023, the Altima gets a mid-cycle refresh after being introduced in 2019. New front-end styling expanded standard safety features and available technologies, along with new wheel designs and two new exterior colors round out the updates. Altima offers customers a diverse lineup, with two available engines, front-wheel, or Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, and four well-equipped grade levels. The 2023 model lineup is available in eight total configurations with prices starting at $25,490 for a front wheel drive S model on the lowest end or $35,190 for a SR VC-Turbo front wheel drive model.
The Altima comes with a choice of two powertrains that include a 248 horsepower 2.0L Variable Compression Turbo 4-cylinder or an advanced 188 horsepower 2.5L DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine. Intelligent All-Wheel Drive is available on 2023 Altima SV, SR and SL grades equipped with the 2.5L 4-cylinder engine. Altimas come with a healthy list of standard safety features, scores good in most IIHS ratings, and get great reliability scores from J.D. Power. Competition includes the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry, and Volkswagen Jetta. I spent a week in a top-end SR VC-Turbo sedan and here's what stood out.
Performance (+/-)Altimas come standard with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine that delivers 188 horsepower and 188-pound feet of torque. Other reviewers have suggested the base engine struggles with power and delivers a noisy engine during acceleration. And unfortunately, the base 2.5L engine is the only option if you want an Altima with all-wheel drive.
I spent time in the quicker 248 horsepower 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder with 273 pound-feet of torque. I found the power to be good as it gets from 0-60 MPH in around 5.8 seconds which is almost two seconds faster than the non-turbo. It has a little turbo lag and does deliver a coarse whine when hitting the accelerator that sounds like it's really working hard versus the typical exhaust sounds that convey power. Sounds improve once cruising on the highway and the Altima still has enough punch to pass vehicles or merge onto the roadways. The variable compression turbo has been tuned to deliver a balanced package of performance and efficiency. For the zippiest feeling drive, opt to engage the available sport mode where the dynamics are adjusted in the CVT to simulate more traditional gear changes.
Handling (+/-)The Altima is not a performance car, nor does it handle like one. It performs well as an affordable turbocharged mid-size sedan. The ride is comfortable and smooth overall making for a pleasant driving experience. It's generally composed on the road and around turns. Note that the available 19" wheels do help with its cornering grip but sacrifice the smoothness of the rest of the ride quality. Steering was on-point for its class but did feel softer than other sedans I've driven. I was hesitant to push it too hard around corners as it does have some body sway. All that said, for the average driver the Altima will perform sufficiently.
Fuel Economy (+)When it arrived with a full 16.2-gallon tank, it offered an overall driving range of around 500 miles. My turbo model gets an estimated 25/34/29 MPG city/highway/combined and after a week of suburban driving I averaged around 32. Altima's compares favorably to competition such as the Accord Sport, Sonata N-Line, and Camry TRD. Regular unleaded fuel is recommended.
Exterior Style (+)The most prominent feature of the 2023 refresh is a new front fascia, with an updated V-Motion grille that delivers a distinctively sporty design and adopts the redesigned brand logo. The SR grades receive a "black chrome" grille finish along with a unique grille design that differentiates it from the other grades. Behind the new front fascia, key exterior elements include the now standard LED headlights with integrated turn signals in the daytime running lights, and available single panel moonroof. The taillights are non-LED, but the shape, blending of red, amber, clear, and black give them a sporty and distinct look. Nissan has also introduced four new aluminum-alloy wheel designs in 17 and 19" sizes. Now in its fifth year since an overhaul, I think it still looks attractive and sporty. The proportions are good, the lines are clean and there's just enough detailing to give it a more premium feel. While there's nothing ground-breaking or over the top in its styling, it does have a broad appeal with a variety of grades to choose from.
Interior Design (+/-)The inside also received an update for 2023 with a revised instrument panel, a new dual-stitch fabric for the SR, and a new 12.3" touchscreen at the center of the dash. Materials are class-appropriate and use a mix of harder plastics. It's a straightforward design that focuses on functionality with everything exactly where you'd expect it to be. Climate controls are in their own pod below the touchscreen and utilize buttons and knobs. A traditional gear selector is in the center console with a wireless charging tray in front of it and two cup holders beside it. Finally, drivers will face a traditional cluster behind the steering wheel with a digital information screen in between the gauges. The overall vibe is sporty and straightforward.
Seats (+/-)Hopping inside, you'll experience extremely cushy seats that are comfortable and offer good support. The seats include NASA-inspired Zero Gravity design with dual-density foam and bolstering to reduce fatigue on longer drives. There's ample head, leg, and shoulder room up front. Cloth upholstery and manually adjustable front seats are standard. Leather upholstery, heated front seats with power adjustments and a heated steering wheel are available. It's worth noting that the front passenger does not rise up and down which was a complaint from my teen and wife who are on the shorter side. They both felt like they were staring at the dash, rather than the road from the passenger side. The driver seat, however, is fully adjustable by height and positioning. Rear seats are equally plush and offer adequate space for three with both head and leg room.
Technology (+)Hopping inside, drivers will face a traditional analog gauge cluster with a 7" digital information screen at the center. At the center of the dash is the most prominent interior update, a 12.3" HD touchscreen that replaces the former 8" display. It features a high-resolution display with clear and modern graphics. The home screen is customizable to add shortcuts to user favorites and destination searches. The system integrates with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which work seamlessly. Also available are USB-A and USB-C ports, NissanConnect with Wi-Fi Hotspot, and a Bose premium audio system with nine speakers. Nissan added active noise cancellation on the SR VC-Turbo models to monitor engine noise and create a noise-canceling signal delivered through the speakers for a more refined, quiet ride. Sound quality was good when the acoustic laminated glass is up and does a nice job of keeping outside noise outside.
Cargo (+/-)There is 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space in the Altima which is average for the class. It's a nice size trunk that will accommodate a lot of belongings including suitcases, golf clubs and groceries. The rear seat folds down for extended access. Its squared-off shape makes it easy to load.
ProPILOT Assist (+)ProPILOT Assist is standard on all SL and SR VC-Turbo models and an option on the SV. ProPILOT Assist is an intelligent cruise control that will identify your Altima's speed and location relevant to other vehicles at the touch of a button. ProPILOT Assist utilizes a forward-facing camera, forward-facing radar, sensors, and an electronic control module to help the driver stay in the center of the driving lane and to maintain vehicle speed (set by the driver) and help maintain a preset distance to the preceding vehicle if the vehicle speed drops below the driver-set speed.
The system will not only adjust speeds up & down amidst traffic but will also keep it centered in the lane between road markings. If road markings are non-existent or faded, the vehicle will notify the driver that this function is inactive. The system is easy to use via steering wheel controls and the information is visible in the digital instrument cluster. The Altima seamlessly maintained appropriate distances and speeds while guiding the vehicle around turns (drivers are required to maintain hands on the steering wheel for it to function). Linking it was the navigation system that allows the map to proactively reduce speed for upcoming freeway curves or junctions and help the driver slow for freeway exits.
Safety and Driver Assist (+)The Altima scores a Good rating in most of the IIHS Safety Ratings and earns a five out five-star score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Standard on all Altima grades for 2023 is Safety Shield 360, which helps provide front, side, and rear safety monitoring and intervention technologies.
Safety Shield 360 includes:
* Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
* Rear Automatic Braking
* Lane Departure Warning
* Radar-based Blind Spot Warning
* Rear Cross Traffic Alert
* High Beam Assist.
Also standard on all grades is Intelligent Forward Collision Warning and Intelligent Driver Alertness. And standard on the Altima SL and SR VC-Turbo grades is Traffic Sign Recognition and Intelligent Around View Monitor.
Final Statement:Visually, I think the Altima is looking better than it ever has and the 2023 updates keep it fresh. It's equipped with the latest technology inside and is packed with safety features. Nissan's ProPILOT assist intelligent cruise control continues to be one of the best out there and is intuitive to use. Performance and driving dynamics are decent and will be sufficient for most Altima buyers. This is a great, reliable vehicle to have in your household that is often overlooked.
First Impression Summary:
Test Vehicle: 2023 Nissan Altima SR VC-Turbo
Exterior Color: Scarlet Ember
Interior: Sport black with red stitching
Notable Options: Premium Paint ($395)
Price as tested: $36,835 (with destination charge)